Leon 1.4 tsi - good buy?

gooner99

What are the tsi engines like. Is it true that the 125hp were pretty much trouble free?

This one caught the eye.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/09-leon-1-4-tsi-petrol-nct-2019-cheap-tax/18067321

colm_mcm

Think even the 122 version had timing chain problems?

gooner99

gooner99 wrote: »

What are the tsi engines like. Is it true that the 125hp were pretty much trouble free?

This one caught the eye.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/09-leon-1-4-tsi-petrol-nct-2019-cheap-tax/18067321

Hi Colm

Probably they meant less trouble.

Probably better sticking to a Jap non turbo.

Want something to suit having the young lad 17 as a named driver on our policy.

Recommendations?

Toyotafanboi

Timing chain issues are common even in the 122bhp engine amongst other things.

I wouldn't touch one personally, which is a shame because when they are running well they are nice to drive.

gooner99

Anyone got experience of the 1.4 122hp tsi engine fitted to the latest generation Leon, Golf, Octavia, etc.

What's the reliability like?

I believe they have a timing belt with fibreglass reinforcement, meaning long intervals between changes. But then I read that they changed the intervals back to 60k miles?

What are they like on fuel?

bazz26

I think the one in the Golf is 150bhp and has cylinder deactivation for better fuel economy. I think the Leon has the same engine but in 125bhp detuned form without cylinder deactivation afaik. Not sure which one the Octavia got but the 1.4 is rare enough in them.

Toyotafanboi

The 1.4 ACT TSi is very good. Night and day compared to the previous 1.4 TSi.

Stallingrad

Had a 2011 1.4tsi 120bhp in a Passat, had a new chain fitted after 5 years, VW covered it as it had a full VWSH.

Lovely engine, smooth and swift when pushed, apart from the chain it was 100% reliable.

The later 125bhp 1.4 that replaced that unit had a belt, no chain problems.

Now have the 1.4 150bhp ACT in a Superb, a gem of an engine.

epopnomis

I have a 2008 seat leon tsi and hasn't given me an ounce of problems, 170000km on the clock and timing chain still going, still on the same battery as well. Only break pads and 2 front caliphers to be be replaced, apart from that it still runs like a dream.

gooner99

Good to hear the positive responses. I wonder what intervals Vag Ireland are recommending for the belts. I have an old 1.4 75hp Golf and it's 60k miles between changes. Always changed it on time and it's still running with 245k miles on it. Not sure if the 1.4 turbo would last a long.

Philb76

The newer generation ones are very good drove an Octavia with it there widely available in the UK here rare enough and even in the North are rare enough

gooner99

Thanks for the replies. How do you find the fuel economy?

Stallingrad

gooner99 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. How do you find the fuel economy?

6.9l/100 in my Passat.

epopnomis

About 6.6 in my 2008 Leon

Raisins

Guys I’m thinking of buying an 18’ facelifted Golf in uk and bringing it home in the next few weeks.

Do you think I should push the budget out to get the 1.4 TSI, is it a lot better than 1.0 TSI? Differential will be about €3k between engines in a facelifted SE.

Some people seem to say it’s chalk & cheese. I won’t be doing huge motorway driving all the same. Thanks

DaveyDave

€3k extra seems a bit steep. The 1 litre is a great commuter car and has absolutely no issue driving down the motorway at all. Try drive one locally if you can to get a feel for it.

Personally I wish I went for the 1.4 as it was only €1,600 more than the 1.0 when new. The 1.0 is a very nifty car to drive and no issue getting up to 120 and beyond for passing but would have liked a little bit more performance.

It's not the fastest car in the world but faster than the usual 1.6 TDIs you'll see on the roads.

Raisins

Great thanks Dave

Ron Burgundy II

I have the 1.4TSi golf 150bhp can't fault it at all.

Raisins

The 1.4 TSi I'm getting the specs of on used 2018 golfs in the UK is not 150 BHP: it has 125 PS which I assume is the 122 BHP.

They list a 2018 1.5 TSi EVO Golf as having 150 BHP.

If you spec one up from new (either Ireland or UK) the 1.0 TSi and 1.5 TSi are the only options available.

Were they putting the older 1.4 TSI 122 Bhp in some facelifted golfs in the UK or something? I can't see a 1.4 TSi that will give 150 BHP.

Ron Burgundy II

Yeah the 1.4TSI with ACT wasn't put into the facelift model (mk7.5) for a period of time. Now all new orders use the 1.5TSi 150bhp.

Stallingrad

125bhp 1.4 is good, 150bhp ACT is better. You wont go wrong with either.

Raisins

Grand makes sense thanks